First community award winners, a visit from Gardeners Question Time, and a ring
DESPITE a very wet November, firework displays all around the borough managed to go ahead, people braving the weather armed with brollies and wellies.
In Twyford the organisers chose a space theme for their event, and Wokingham’s annual torchlit procession saw 10,000 people process from the town centre to a rather squelchy Cantley Park for a spectacular firework display, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
Wokingham Borough
Council announced a decision to scrap its free parking scheme for shoppers in the weekends leading up to Christmas, saying that it could no longer afford to bear the cost.
Instead, it offered free parking in Wokingham on the day of its winter carnival, with a similar scheme in Woodley for its Christmas Extravaganza.
After years of low funding from the Government, it called upon residents to back its campaign to lobby for more support for the borough by writing to members of parliament.
A lucky detectorist discovered a gold ring in Finchampstead, believed to date from between 1200AD and 1400AD, set with a garnet and green stones.
The treasure hunter, and a land owner hoped to be able to share proceeds of around £4,000 when it went to auction.
Motorists prepared for Nine Mile Ride to close for five months to allow gas repairs to take place, and plans to close St Crispin’s Leisure Centre were met with dismay.
The facility would be leased to St Crispin’s School Trust, to provide 55 school places needed in the borough.
Royals football fans took to the streets of Reading to march in protest against the club’s owner Dai Yongge.
The club had been docked 16 points and had numerous transfer embargoes in the past three seasons for breaching the EFL’ financial guidelines.
Fans fearing for the future of Reading FC said they wanted it preserved for the next generation to enjoy.
In Wokingham, listeners to Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time were able to enjoy two programmes recorded in the town hall, and the town’s hospital gained a new cafe, an oasis for patients, visitors and staff.
And volunteers were being urged to give their time to a food donation drive as Tesco organised a food collection campaign, with donations going to frontline charities to help them prepare for what was predicted to be their busiest winters yet with greater numbers of people needing support.
At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month the borough came to a standstill.
In Wokingham traffic stopped and people gathered in the Market Place, while in Woodley, a cascade of poppies formed a backdrop to three days of remembrance ceremonies.
There were also parades and events in Sonning, Hurst, Shinfield, Wargrave, Twyford and – well, anywhere there is a war memorial.
The Poppy Appeal received tremendous support from residents at special collections set up in the borough’s supermarkets and stores.
Former town mayor Keith Cattran who died this month, was remembered for his achievements and service to the borough.
Thousands turned out to enjoy Wokingham’s
Winter Carnival, with street entertainment, fun fair, food and stalls aplenty, while over in Woodley, the village was lit up ready for its Winter extravaganza.
Wokingham’s covid expert Professor Ben Cowling was presented with an MBE by the King at Buckingham Palace, for his groundbreaking and life-saving work during the pandemic.
As Christmas approached, the borough got behind an annual Giving Tree campaign, and gifts began to pour in for youngsters whose families were struggling.
In another effort to support youngsters, hundreds of Santas ran around Dinton Pastures, raising money for First Days Children’s Charity to buy junior bed sets.
Wokingham.Today hosted its inaugural Wokingham Community Awards, celebrating the achievements of the borough’s best citizens.
Kimelcafe, Freely Fruity, Helen Wilson, Gaynor White, Brian Swindley, Debs Parker, Daisy Crips, Gerald de la
Pascua, Dexter Rosier, Helping Hands Shinfield and Spencers Wood, MiMi, and Brian Johnson were all award winners.